Rokeby campaigners shocked at free school backing

While the celebrations have started for the backers of Rugby Free Secondary School '“ see separate story '“ campaigners on Rokeby have been left flabbergasted at the decision to give the proposed school the crucial funding approval.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2016, 16:50 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2016, 17:54 BST
Rokeby Infant School floor NNL-160428-173210001Rokeby Infant School floor NNL-160428-173210001
Rokeby Infant School floor NNL-160428-173210001

Members of SHARE, Sustainable Hillside and Rokeby Education, argue the plans have not been put out for proper consultation and say the former infant school the school is housed in is a long way off being ready for RFSS to use in September.

A spokesman said: “It appears that Rugby Free Secondary School (RFSS) are claiming on their web site that the Secretary of State has signed a funding agreement with them.

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“We have asked the Education Funding Agency (EFA) how this could have happened when RFSS do not appear to have carried out a Section 10 Consultation which is required before a funding agreement is signed.

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“We have been told we will be given a reply shortly.

“RFSS has stated that it will take in 120 pupils in September this year. They will be taught in the old infant school buildings on Anderson Avenue.

“Before they can do this the buildings require extensive refurbishment in order to put right eight years of neglect and to alter the facilities in the school to suit secondary age pupils rather than much younger infant age pupils.”

One issue they’ve highlighted is the wooden floor of the main assembly hall which has been ruined as a result of a leaking roof.

The protesters claim there are other problems with the old building and also highlighted that there are some trees in the grounds which they want to see have preservation orders applied.